Letter I sent to the Lowell Sun: I have been following this saga from the start. I have looked into both sides of this tragic downfall. It is no secret that this all stems back to family rivalry. Its sad what has become of this wonderful company built by two brothers and now being destroyed. Along with its destruction , falls the associates who work for them, and the customers who have come to rely on their better pricing. Not to mention all the companies who supply them. But worst of all, it is a family divided. Its sad that Arthur S. has such a hatred for his cousin, Arthur T. , that he is willing to let this great company and all associated with it, implode. Maybe having all that money, he doesnt care who he takes down with him. Everyone is lashing out at the Board of Directors, the two new Co-CEOs, but what it all boils down to is they all work for him! He ultimately, and single handily is destroying this company! Not once, has anyone from the upper up spoken publicly to assure anything! Everything is being handled through press releases, PR firms, etc. I could bet that Arthur T. would address his associates better, probably in person! Its time that someone, and Im a no one to them, say something! It angers me that Arthur S. rudely ignored the customer who came to him with a petition signed by over 100,000 individuals, those individuals being customers! If he truly was a business man of integrity he should of acknowledged her. I think Arthur T. would of extended her some attention. This is what has so many riled up. Its one thing to be a great business man, its another to be a business man who is great. Arthur T. has both business sense and personal integrity. This is why so many associates and customers look towards him. He is what has kept Market Basket being the great company that it is. Its time for this Board of Directors, and new CEOs to do what they should be, and advise Arthur S. to do what is right. Theyre reputations are now on the line. It will be very hard for them to acquire other jobs in the future with this black mark on their resumes. Either that, or they are being paid so well, they wont need to work ever again. I write this in hopes that you will consider this story from another angle. Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Arthur S. will grow a conscience and re instate Arthur T., or accept his offer. I see no other ending that will be acceptable to anyone on the outside of that office! If they were to continue as is, this company will crumble, its value so badly depleted that NO other company will purchase it. Its time to bury the hatchet, and move on. If Arthur S. cannot do that, then sell to his cousin, and forever be done with it. Time has come for closure , for the two Arthurs, the associates and the public.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:50:44 +0000